March 30 NARSOL issued a second press release demanding that law enforcement immediately cease all in-person requirements of registrants. A month after the seriousness of this health crisis was recognized in the United States, state officials in only two states, Oregon and Pennsylvania, have issued directives for these types of required visits to be suspended state-wide. In virtually every other state, county after county is still requiring in-person verification and updates, putting everyone involved and their families at risk. What will it take for authorities to act responsibly?

An official with the Kentucky State Police says 23-year-old Jesse Gibson has been charged with murder and kidnapping of Elijah Rader. Gibson is currently being held without bond at the Jackson County KY Detention Center. Police say that Rader was reported missing on January 31st.

Kentucky State Police are asking for the help of locating 48-year old Bruce Carr and 35-year-old Melissa Gulley, who are being sought for murder and kidnapping in connection to Rader’s death.

Police say the two are considered to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.

The police wouldn’t comment or speculate at this time if the crime was motivated by the person being on the sex offender registry.

We live in unprecedented times. Never before have semi-quarantine conditions been imposed across the entire country. Registrants especially, having a history of not knowing what to expect from law enforcement, are unsettled. Going into sheriff’s offices or other places where registration verification is done is risky business these days, risky in ways never experienced before. Many registrants are senior citizens, and many, just like all senior citizens, have some serious health conditions. An exposure to the Corona-virus, COVID-19, could be disastrous, putting not only the registrants but also the law enforcement or governmental personnel at risk along with the families and friends of all.

Mainstream media articles dealing with this issue reveal a definite trend: While more and more offices are closing to the general public wanting to conduct normal business, such as fill out a report or renew a driver’s license, registered sexual offenders are still to report for their regularly scheduled verification checks. NARSOL finds this unacceptable, and March 20, 2020, issued this press release to media outlets across the nation calling for a suspension of all required in-person verifications during this crisis.

Reposted from the NARSOL website